Dr Zhen Liu

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Dr Zhen Liu

Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Chine

Métabolique, Lauréat 2022

Dr. Zhen Liu is Professor and Chief Surgeon at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, affiliated with Nanjing University School of Medicine. His research focuses on the role and mechanisms of aberrant bone and muscle homeostasis in the development of spinal deformities.
In China, the total number of cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has reached 3 to 4 million, while the world’s aging population is experiencing an increase in the prevalence of degenerative spinal deformities.
As the etiopathogenesis of these conditions is unclear, there is an urgent need to develop new treatments for early intervention. Professor Liu has conducted a series of studies into the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the onset of AIS, including research into how the microbiota is involved in disturbances to bone homeostasis in AIS patients.
His research interests also extend to the development of new classifications and treatments for degenerative scoliosis. His pioneering work on the role of vitamin D in the development of AIS earned him the prestigious Whitecloud Prize at IMAST 2022.

Publications

• Hu Z, Xu Y, Fan C, Chen C, Li D, Liu Q, Wang M, Zhu Z, Qiu Y, Liu Z(*). Evolution of Sagittal Spinal Alignment During Pubertal Growth: A Large-Scale Study in a Chinese Pediatric Population. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Jan 28. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.24.00829
• Li J, Tian Z, Fang Y, He Z, Xu Y, Xu H, Zhu Z, Qiu Y, Liu Z(*). Determining the risk factors for postoperative mechanical complication in degenerative scoliosis: a machine learning approach based on musculoskeletal metrics. Eur Spine J. 2025 Feb 24.
• Zhen L, Ziyang T, Jie L, Zongshan H, Xiaodong Q, Benlong S, Saihu M, Yong Q, Zezhang Z. Tri-cortical Pedicle Screw Fixation in the Most Cranial Instrumented Segment to Prevent Proximal Junctional Kyphosis. Spine J. 2025 Feb 22:S1529-9430(25)00095-6.
• Li J, Tang Z, Hu Z, Xu Y, Liang B, Qiu Y, Zhu Z, Liu Z(*). Sagittal Imbalance in Degenerative Kyphosis: Prevalence and Implication on Postoperative Mechanical Failure. Neurosurgery. 2024 Nov 1;95(5):1026-1039.
• Fang Y, Tian Z, Li W, Li D, Li J, Hu Z, Qiu Y, Zhu Z, Liu Z(*). Gut microbiota alterations in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a comparison study with healthy control and congenital scoliosis. Spine Deformity. 2024 Oct 22. doi: 10.1007/s43390-024-00988-8.
• Fang Y, Li J, Hu Z, Zhu Z, Qiu Y, Liu Z(*). Postoperative Coronal Imbalance in Lenke 5C Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Evolution, Risk Factors, and Clinical Implications. Neurospine. 2024 Sep;21(3):903-912. doi: 10.14245/ns.2448544.272
• Jie Li, Changwei Liu, Yanjie Xu, Chen Ling, Ziyang Tang, Abdukahar Kiram, Zongshan Hu, Zezhang Zhu, Yong Qiu, Zhen Liu(*). Gut Microbiota Alterations in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Are Associated with Aberrant Bone Homeostasis. Orthop Surg. 2024 Apr;16(4):965-975.
• Kiram A, Li J, Liu Q, Ling C, Xu H, Fan C, Hu Z, Zhu Z, Qiu Y, Liu Z(*). Proteome analysis reveals paraspinal muscle fiber type changes in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis. Spine J. 2025 Jan 31:S1529-9430(25)00076-2. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2025.01.026
• Zhen Tian, Jie Li, Hui Xu, Yanjie Xu, Zezhang Zhu, Yong Qiu, Zhen Liu(*). Prediction of proximal junctional kyphosis and failure after corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity: an MRI-based model combining bone and paraspinal muscle quality metrics. Spine J. 2024 Aug 21. Doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.08.010.
• Abdukahar Kiram, Zongshan Hu, Hongru Ma, Jie Li, Xing Sun, Yanjie Xu, Chen Ling, Hui Xu, Zezhang Zhu, Yong Qiu, Zhen Liu(*). Development of ethnicity-adjusted global alignment and proportion score to predict the risk of mechanical complications following corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity. Spine J. 2024 May;24(5):877-888.
• Jie Li, Zongshan Hu, Zhikai Qian, Ziyang Tang, Yong Qiu, Zezhang Zhu, Zhen Liu(*). The prognosis and recovery of major postoperative neurological deficits after corrective surgery for scoliosis: an analysis of 65 cases at a single institution, The Bone & Joint Journal, 2022, 104-B(1): 103-111.
• Liu H, Liu Z, Man CW, Guo J, Han X, Hu Z, Ng TB, Zhao Z, Li J, Wang W, Chun TC, Qiao J, Shi B, Xu L, Bao H, Jiang Q, Lam TP, Cheng JCY, Qiu Y, Zhu Z. The effect of exogenous melatonin on reducing scoliotic curvature and improving bone quality in melatonin-deficient C57BL/6J mice. Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 17;9(1):6202.
• Liu Z, Tam EM, Sun GQ, Lam TP, Zhu ZZ, Sun X, Lee KM, Ng TB, Qiu Y, Cheng JC, Yeung HY. Abnormal leptin bioavailability in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: an important new finding. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2012;37:599-604.
• Liu Z, Tang NL, Cao XB, Liu WJ, Qiu XS, Cheng JC, Qiu Y. Lack of association between the promoter polymorphisms of MMP-3 and IL-6 genes and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study in a Chinese Han population. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2010;35:1701-5.
• Liu Z, Wang F, Xu LL, Sha SF, Zhang W, Qiao J, Bao HD, Qiu Y, Jiang Q, Zhu ZZ. Polymorphism of rs2767485 in Leptin Receptor Gene is Associated With the Occurrence of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015;40: 1593-1598. 9-11.

Financing a research project

Training in screening

Scolimpiades: screening near you

Does your child have scoliosis?

Yves Cotrel Foundation

Mrs Nora Muller-Conte
Delegate of the Foundation
Fondation Yves Cotrel
Institut de France
23, Quai de Conti – 75006 Paris France

Institute of France

23, Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris France

Dr Zhen Liu

Publications

Financing a research project

Training in screening

Scolimpiades: screening near you

Does your child have scoliosis?

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